What do I do if the boss of a private practice is harassing employees?
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What do I do if the boss of a private practice is harassing employees?
I don’t want to give too much detail but I currently work in a private practice where there is only one doctor and two other employees. I have only been working there a few months, however, since I have worked there the doctor has made everyone in that office feel like an ant. She
screams at the top of her lungs, throws fits and puts her employees down. I have seen her make patients as well as her employees and even guests cry on numerous occasions. It has gotten to the point that I have actually gotten sick from the stress and hostility. She screams at her employees in front of the patients and continuously talks down to the patients and
employees as if we are all ignorant. It is a small practice and I am truly unsure of what steps to take. I haven’t spoken up about this sooner because I’ve felt bad but I can’t work in this
environment any more nor should anyone have to. In a month, it will just be the doctor and myself working in the office. Does anyone have any advice?
Asked on August 15, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The only advice is, get a different job, unfortunately. As long as an employer is not discriminating against or harassing you due to one of small number of specifically protected reasons (e.g. you are not being yelled at because you are, say, African American, or because of your sex, religion, age over 40, disability, national origin, or in your state, sexual orientation or gender identity), the employer may be as nasty, mean, awful, unfair, cruel, etc. as she wishes to be. The law allows employers and workplaces to be, frankly, horrible, and there is no right to a decent workplace. You write that she is awful to everyone and even patients and guests; therefore, this is not likely illegal discrimination, but is most likely just an awful, bullying human being, and all you can do is leave.
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